“I meant that I wasn’t trying to get out of giving you a ride.” His choice of words didn’t make the situation any better; he kept digging himself into a bigger hole.

“I know what you meant. Do I look stupid?”

Silence met her question.

Killyama was dressed in leather pants and a black t-shirt that had a skull with a dagger in the eye. It read “Come and get me.” Her make-up was dark and smoky, and her biker boots had metal spokes sticking out. She didn’t look stupid, yet she did appear scary as heck. Especially for a man who loved women who were very feminine. At least he makes an attempt to be a gentleman, Lily thought when he ignored her question.

“We’ll have to make it another day. I have to order a part,” Rider hedged.

“You’ve already put me off three times. I’m tired of this shit. Forget it.” She turned around, opening her car door as she gave Shade a smirk. “The Last Riders don’t know how to keep their word. Good to know for future reference.”

Shade stiffened. He was the one who had promised Killyama a ride for saving her life. Lily didn’t even want to know what Shade had held over Rider’s head to make him come through.

“I’ll give you a ride myself,” Shade said, giving in to the woman’s demands.

“No offense, but I don’t ride with a man who’s got a woman at his back.” Lily took that to mean she wasn’t going to ride with Shade because of her. In that moment, Lily knew she liked the woman.

She heard Shade’s teeth grinding at her answer.

“I’ll give you a ride,” Train said, setting down the tool he was holding.

This time Killyama remained quiet, tilting her head to the side as she studied the man like he was a side of beef. Oh, heck, Lily thought, noticing Train’s eyes narrowing on Killyama.

Since moving in with The Last Riders, she had learned one thing about Train: the man was a wild card, and you never knew how he would react. He was the calmest of the men, yet he actually had the worst temper. You could never be certain if he was going to respond with a smile or a fist until it was too late.

“Deal.” Killyama shut the car door.

As Train led the way to his bike, getting on, Lily watched as Killyama got on behind him, snuggling close as she wound her arms around his waist.

“Do you think they’ll kill each other?” Lily couldn’t resist asking as they turned onto the road.

“I think there’s a fifty-fifty chance.” Shade’s mocking remark had Lily unable to hold back her grin.

“You know you’re going to owe him big time.” Lily felt like she needed to give Rider a heads-up.

“It’ll be worth any price,” Rider said fervently.

“That wasn’t nice. She’s a really sweet woman.”

Both men looked at her dubiously, but neither of them disagreed with her out loud.

Lily strode away, leaving both men to follow silently behind her. She walked through the front door and went straight upstairs to get changed into her workout clothes. She needed to wash a few clothes and she wanted to exercise so she could accomplish both goals at the same time.

Her favorite workout outfits needed washing, so she had to resort to the more revealing one she hated to wear. She changed and was organizing the clothes when Shade came into the bedroom.

“Rider is going to work with me at my house for a few hours.”

“All right, I’m going to take care of the laundry.”

“I’ll pack them down for you.”

“I can handle a basket of clothes,” Lily told him.

Shade picked up the basket anyway, waiting for her by the door. Lily heaved a frustrated sigh then gave in, going out the door and down the steps. She felt self-conscious in her outfit, even though she knew she was being ridiculous. She didn’t even know why it bothered her; most of the members had gone home for the holidays, and those who had remained were getting caught up on their shopping and sleep.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. If you need anything, just call.”

“Okay.” Lily rolled her eyes as he left. He was taking her protection too seriously. She wasn’t used to being constantly surrounded by someone; even Beth gave her space.

She started a load of clothes then began her stretching and floor exercises, enjoying working out. It served to relieve a lot of her tension and she liked how it made her feel.

She did another load of clothes after putting the others in the dryer, turning on the sound system before beginning her weight routine. She took her time as she worked with the new weights that had just been delivered that day. When she was finished, she checked on her clothes, putting the last of them in the dryer and then folding the other ones. She was still full of energy as she then went to the exercise equipment and stared at the treadmill then at the pole. She hated treadmills; they were boring.

Since she was alone in the house, she stepped toward the pole. She began her routine, one movement after another, following each other seamlessly. She worked herself to the top, and with her arms giving her leverage, slid her legs out from the pole. Her arms were shaky after just lifting weights, yet she managed to keep a firm grip before circling the pole with her thighs. Sliding down, she stopped her momentum a few feet from the floor, and using her thighs, she held onto the pole, going backwards until her hands touched the floor. Releasing her grip on the pole, she flipped her body, doing a brief handstand before continuing to flip until she stood straight, facing the steps. The buzzer for the dryer went off and she moved to finish folding the clothes.

Shade was there, sitting on the couch and staring at her with a look that made goose bumps rise on her arms. He had come in and hadn’t even let her know he was there.

“How long have you been there?” she asked suspiciously.

“Long enough to see you climb then come down the pole.”

“Oh.” Lily went to the dryer, pulling out the clothes and putting them in the basket. She would fold them in the room.

“Come here, Lily.”

“Uh, no,” Lily said firmly.

“Why?”

“Because I can tell by the way you’re looking at me that… you’re in a mood,” she finished helplessly.

“You’re right. I’m in the mood to fuck. Come. Here.”

Lily’s trembling hands set the basket down on the dryer. She slowly walked toward him. “Shade…”

“What do you call me when we’re down here?” he reminded her.

Lily stopped in front of him. She wasn’t going to play his games.

His hand came out, cupping the back of her knee, touching the flesh below her workout shorts.

“Answer me.” Shade’s firm expression wasn’t harsh; however, he left no doubt that he expected her to obey him.

“Sir.” Lily felt the word leave her lips.

He raised her knee, pulling it toward him until she had to raise her other knee on the other side of his hip or she would fall on top of him. This position wasn’t much better. She was kneeling over him while he looked up at her. His hands slid up the sides of her thighs, sliding around toward her butt until his hands cupped her bottom, pulling her toward him.

“Kiss me.”

Lily bent down, touching her mouth to his. Shade parted her lips, sucking her tongue into his mouth. Lily explored his mouth, tasting the hint of mint on his breath.